Machine for stuffing olives



June 30, 1953 G. w. AsHLocK, JR

MACHINE FOR STUFFING OLIVES 4 snets-sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1949 June 30, 1953 G. w. AsHLocK, JR

MACHINE FOR STUFFING oLIvEs 4 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed May 51, 1949 TTORNE Y June 30, 1953 G. w. AsHLocK, JR

MACHINE FOR STUFFING OLIVES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 31, 1949 lmlmHHH lvl m-HrHI-U ,INVENTOR eorge l/V. Ash/ockJ/f Tram/EY June 30', 1953 G. w. AsHLocK, JR 2,643,694

MACHINE FOR STUFFING OLIVES Filed May 31, 1949 4 sheets-sheet 4 A. kJ

HTTORNEV FILE-3.4L...

Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED S'lflf'llrSY PATENT FFICE 18 Claims.

l 'Thisk invention relates toa novel machineffor placing a stuingmaterialsuch as pimento'in van article such as an olive.

The invention will be described as it has beenv successfully applied to the formation of yafstuiiing` ofpimento and the placing of this in a previously stoned olive. However, it is to be understood that the invention is notvlimited tothe'handling of pimento or to thestufiingof olive and that the'machinelcan be applied-to the formation and to the placement of other stu-fiingmaterialfsucli as onions, nuts and the like, and to the placement of a-stufling material in a prepared Vfruit orother object, such as a prune, date, cherry-or the like;

The stuing of olives with pimento has heretofore been carried on by liand.l Necessarily, the operation is slow and time-consumingand, as a consequence, these articles are relatively expensive. In accordance with the present invention, I provide a novel machine which can be utilized successfully to place a stuflinglmaterial,` Vsuch asY pimento, in a previously preparedfruit, suchas a stoned olive.

It is in general the broadobject kofthe-present invention to provide a novel machinefor. thel the foregoing, will appear hereinafterfwherein; f

the present preferredform ofmachine for prac1 ticing the invention will be disclosed;

In the drawingsaccompanying and: forming-.

a part hereof,

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a complete ma.'-

chine embodying the present invention..

Figure 2 isa plan l.view of the machine shown" in Figure l. f

Figure 3 is a section takenalong the llined-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the machine showing a portion of the plug-forming mechanism in position just prior to formation of a plug of'a stuing material. Y

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure` 4,' but showing the parts in the position which they occupy during placement of the stufling materialv in the prepared fruit.

'Figure 6 is a section along the line |-6 of Figure l.

Figures 7, `8 and 9` are respectively sections taken along the lines 1 7, 8-8 andy- 9 in Figure l and showing the relation of the belts utilized to convey the stuing material toward the objectV stuffingl station;

2 Figure 10 is a sideelevation partly in section through a portion ofthe drive mechanism.

Figure 11y is a section taken along the line in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a View along the line |3|3 of Figure 2. I

Figures 14, 15 and 16 are operational views illustrating the relation of the Various parts during'formation ofthe charge ofthe stuffingmaterial and its placement in the prepared fruit.

Frame The-,machine includes a suitable frame structure'comprising arbase 2| having a plurality of Tosupplypowerto themachine and'to operate the variousmechanisms thereof-in a timed relationship, means are provided for driving the various mechanism including power input shaft s 3| suitably journalled on uprights 32l securedto the'baseZ Mounted upon shaft 3| for rotation thereWithare-cams 33 and `34. Abellcrank 35v isihinged upon frame as at 31, the bell crank havin'ga'cam follower 331thereon engaged withY caml 33.1 A rod 39" extends from an arm V4| on the belll crankt/to alever 42lhinged as at 13T-upon uprightl 24. Another rod v481 is extended from lever 42 dicated at 47 andl'tobeA presently described in detail.`

Mechanism for movingfstuiiing material into a positioned. object is generally. indicated at 5| and being reciprocated with respect to vframe ,22'`

upon which it is mounted, as Will be presently described in detail. To provide the necessaryreciprocating motion, a camfgfollower '52 is mounted .in a boxeframe fhingedtothe stuing mechanism 5| as 'at at auponallever l58 which 62 mounted upon the base 2|.

The machine also includes means for advancing a continuoussupply of articles to be stuffed. In the form of the deviceshown'in the drawing, this is provided by a circular'table 1I mounted for rotation with a shaft 12, which is vertically positioned in a standard or column structurev 'I3 in which are provided bearingsy 74. A circularrachet plate '|6fis mountedfupon the shaft 12; .the plate having a plurality of teeth tothev clutch mechanism, generally inA 54, the box-frame alsoV beinglhinged as-Y is in turnv hinged'as:

3 11 provided about its periphery. A pawl 18 is hinged as at 19 upon an arm 8| extending from a collar 82 fitting rotatably on shaft 12. A spring 83 extends from the arm 8| to upright 80. Another spring 84 extends from the arm 8| to pawl 18 to retain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet plate. A rod 86 is slidably mounted in standards 81 on the base 2|, the rod being held in engagement by spring 83 -with the arm 8| and with a foot 88 provided upon an extension 89 on the bell crank 36 so that movement of the circular table 1| is coordinated with other operations of the machine. A brake band 90 is secured to the base 2| and surrounds a .braking element 95 on the shaft 12 to provided a drag on the shaft whereby the latter stops its rotation immediately the pawl ceases its rotational movement. This ensures that the table moves through the same arc upon each movement Vofthe pawl.

Clutch mechanism structure including an annular plate portion 99 having a plurality of angularly formed teeth thereon extending outwardly and closely adjacent to the ring 93. A roller |0| is interposed in the space between each tooth and the ring 93,

one or more of the rollers jamming between the driven outer ring 93 and the annular plate 99 to impart definite positive drive to the shaft 98. Plate 92 carries an extension |06 thereon having an upstanding ear |01 through which rod 49 extends slidably.

The degree of rotational movement imparted to shaft 98 by the clutch mechanism 41 is regulated by adjusting nuts |08 on the end of rod 46 to space these from the ear |01. One of the bolts 94 butts against frame member 26 under the bias of spring I l, the spring being extended between an extension l |2 on a frame member 26 and another one of the bolts 94. as appears in Figure 1. To vary the extent of motion imparted upon reciprocation of rod 46, the position of nuts |08 on rod 46 is varied. This permits the rod to move upwardly to any desired extent so that the rod can be reciprooated with la constant length stroke. However, when the rod is moved downwardly and in the direction of the arrow in Figures 1 and l0, the nuts are brought into engagement with the ear |01 and the clutch is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to rotate shaft 98 in a counter-clockwise direction and spring is lengthened. As soon as rod 46 reaches the end of its stroke, it starts its return movement, spring rotating the clutch device in a clockwise direction until bolt 94 strikes against the frame member 26. Any desired extent of lost motion and, in turn, of rotation of clutch 41, can be provided between the rod 46 and the clutch 41 by adjusting nuts |08 with respect to ear |01. In this manner, the stu'ing material can be fed step-wise and in a desired degree of advance.

is well known, pimento is a relatively tough material which occurs, as prepared, in pieces of an irregular shape and size. Shaft 98 carries two spaced wheels |2| thereon rotatable about a horizontal axis and about which are provided belts |22 and |23, the belts being positioned horizontally at one end of the machine (right hand end, Figure l) and extending forwardly to pass about wheels |26 at the forward end of the machine, the wheels |26 being positioned for rotation about a vertical axis. Between the horizontal position of the belts as they pass about wheels |2| and the vertical position about wheels |26, the belts move through a continually changing relationship such that they advance gradually toward one another, being supported in this by guide plates |3| and |32, supporting respectively belts |22 and |23; the pimento is fed upon the belts from shelf |33 (Figure 9) and into abutment with a guide plate |34. As the belts advance toward one another, the pimento is gradually caused to be folded upon itself. To assist the pimento in this and to insure that it is formed into a compact, folded mass, a guide |31 is provided which, with guide |34, is mounted upon adjustable brackets |36, secured to the guide plates |3| and |32. Immediately ahead of the wheels |26, a guide plate |4| is interposed between the belts, being adjustably mounted upon plate |32 by bracket |42, to force the pimento downwardly into a compact mass and into the U-shaped guide and stumng charge forming pocket |43 and which is shown in place in Figure 12. The pocket |43 guides the pimento on after it has left the belts and delivers it in position for stuing.

The article positioning means Table 1| includes a plurality of receptacles |46 thereon; when olives are to be stued, each receptacle can have a configuration such as is taught in my prior Patent No. 2,250,518 wherein each receptacle has the internal shape of a truncated cone with an included angle between 32 and 42. The articles to be stuffed may be placed in each receptacle by hand or by any suitable feeding mechanism. To assist in positioning an article for stuffing, I provide a locating pin |41 carried upon arm |48, the latter being hinged as at |49 upon a removable member |5|, secured by screw |52 to the plate 1|. The presence of the pins is, of course, undesirable during the stuing operation and each pin is accordingly moved into and out of its 'associated cavity by a suitable track |53 mounted upon arms |54 from the standard 13. The track extends arcuately downwardly at each end |56, as appears in Figure l and the pins are normally presented in an article supporting position between points A and B during the counter-clockwise rotation of the table in Figure 2.

The st'wing mechanism |62 at |69 are a pair of filling material forming members |69 biased by springs |1| into an open position, namely that in which these members appear in Figure 16. Each of the members includes a semi-cylindrical cavity |12 therein through which a plunger |13 is reciprocated, the latter being mounted for sliding in the hollow egcs-acca:

plunger' I 6I Land in ythe charge-guide=pocket |43@ the normal position of --the plunger is vas isshown in Figure 4 wherein the plunger |73 is in such position that collar I'Id thereon is above the cross member |63 and the lower end of the plunger rests on base 2I. As the cross member is raised, wheels |66 move the charge forming members |68 from that position in which they appear in Figure l5 and wherein thev members are closed. When collar |74 is engaged by the cross member |63, 'the continued upward movement of the cross member is effective to force the plunger through the charge forming members to eject the charge of stuing material. cylindrical cavity |72 defining the inner longitudinal edges of the charge forming members |68 and adjacent to the -belts |22 andl |23 is provided with-a knife edge |77 to sever the charge in the cavity from that which is fed into the cavity.

Retention during stuing 'I'o retain an articlev in position during placement of the charge, frame member 22 includes an extension IBI thereon havinga lever E82 hinged as at |33. A rod |84 extends upwardly from the cross member ltd-and` a springy |86 is extended between a collar |87 on the rod |84 and that end of lever |83 which ts over the rod |34. The other-end of lever |82 is mounted between nuts |88 carried upon a rod-v |89.,- the latter being reciprocably mounted in extension ISI and carryingA a cup ISI on. the end thereof. As the cross member is raised, cup IQI is lowered into position to retain an article.

Operation With the shaft 3| being `rotated by a suitable prime mover, rod 46 is reciprocated to impart a stepwise movement to belts |22 and |23. An operator places a strip of pimento upon the belts so that, as the belts advance from the loading station at the right hand side of Figure 1 to the charge forming and stung station adjacent the left hand side of Figure 1, the stuing material isV gradually folded upon itself and compacted into a charge of material. This is particularly desirable in the handling of pimento inasmuch as the inner surface of pimento is rough and uneven while the other side is smooth and glossy. By folding the material upon itself, the smooth,

glossy and attractive surface ofthe material isV placed outermost so that the pimento slips easily into an article into which itis to be stuffed, presenting a more pleasing appearance and handling far more readily.

As an operator places articles to be stuied, such as olive, in the several receptacles and upon the projecting pins |47, the table 7| is advanced toward'and into the stuihng position wherein the pins a-re out of the way. As each article is received, a charge of the material is cut off from that in the charge forming or guide pocket |43 by the knife edges |77 on members |68 as these are forced together, the charge is compressed and formed into a plug of desired shape; with 4a semicylindrical cavity in each ofthe charge forming members |68, a cylindrical plug is formed. Of course, the charge formed can be of any desired cross sectionalshape by varying the cavity in each of the charging members.

The articles to be stuffed are heldin position by cup I 9 I land the .plunger |73 forces the charge into position. rIhe table 7| is advanced stepwise and in time with the stepwise advance of the charge formingmaterial and its cut-off and formation from the continuous supply on the belts.

That portion of each semi-A After-an articleV has been stuied, the pinv associated-with the receptacle is returned 'to its-'ar'` ticle Vreceiving position byy engagement with the cam track |53. If the article has beenstuifed; the article is knocked'iof the table `bythe return ofvthepin- |417 into thecavityso that'theoperaw torknows the placementofan unstuifed article is required, the-stuifed articlesbeing collected.

From the foregoing, I-believe it willbe apparent-l that Ifhave-'provided` a-novel, simple 'form of machine vforv the placement ofv stuii'lngl materialin olives, cherries and the like.

I claim:

1. A' machinefor stuning olivesrand-thedike" comprising a pair of ilat belts each having a car-V rying surface thereon; means for moving -thel belts" over a path between aV feeding station,` whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are'- substantially'horizontal and in a side by side-re lation in a common plane, and a stuiling station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are-in a vertical plane and `substantially I parallel toone" another and spaced apart only the width -ofafolded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the beltstoV wardithe stufling station to advance a strip offmaterial to said station and project a portion of' said strip beyond said belts; means for cutting a plugfrom that portion of the folded-strip projected beyond said belts; means for positioning one another and in a vertical plane and spaced: apart only the width of a folded strip of'stuifingr material which is carried by the belts and a portion of the strip is projected beyond thebelts; means for cutting a plug from the folded strip at the stuffing station, including a pair of hinged' jaws movable toward one another to cut a length from` the projected-portion of said strip and form' the'sarne into a plug of a desired cross-section;

means for positioning afruit having a cavityin a position to receive said plug; and means for inserting the cut plug from between the jaws into` the cavity in the positioned fruit.

3. A machineffor stufing olives andthe like` comprising a pair 'of ilat belts each having a car"- rying surface thereon; meansfor moving the belts over a path between a feeding station Whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts areV substantially horizontal and in a side by side-re,- lation in a common plane and a'stufling station whereat thecarrying surfaces on the belts are.

vertical land substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart only the width of a folded stripv of stuffing material which is carriedby the belts, means for simultaneously cutting a length fromv the'folded strip and forming it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a position to `receive said plug including a fruitA con-v veyor movable over a path including-afruit'loading station and said stuffing station, said-conveyor' including. a' plurality of fruitreceptacles yand a plurality of pins, each pin being movable into'I and out of a cooperatively associated and positioned receptacle, and means for inserting a preformed plug into a positioned fruit at said stuifing station.

4. A machine for stuing olives and the like comprising a pair of flat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, means for moving the belts over a path between a feeding station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side relation in a common plane and a stuing station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are vertical and substantially parallel to one another and spaced-apart only the width of a folded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for simultaneously cutting a length from the folded strip and forming it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a positionto receive said cut plug including a fruit conveyor movable over a path including a fruit loading station and said stuffing station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin associated cooperatively with each receptacle and movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, means for moving each pin to project through and past an associated receptacle during traverse of said conveyor toward, through and past said loading station and for retracting each pin as its cooperatively associated receptacle approaches said stuffing station and for projecting each pin as the conveyor moves away from the loading station to eject a stuffed fruit, and means for inserting the cut plug into a positioned fruit at said stuffing station.

5. A machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising means for feeding continuously a strip of a stuffing material toward a stuning station, means for folding the strip during feeding upon itself and into a U-shape, means for cutting a length from the folded strip at said stufng station, means operable simultaneously with said cutting means to form the cut length into a plug, and means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein in position at said stuffing station to receive said cut plug including a fruit kconveyor movable over a path including a fruit loading station and said stuffing station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, and means for inserting the preformed cut plug into a positioned fruit.

6. A machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising means for continuously feeding a strip of a stuffing material toward a stuffing station, means for folding the strip during feeding upon itself and into a U-shape, means for cutting a length from the folded strip at the stung station, means operable simultaneously with said cutting means to form it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein in position at said stuffing station to receive said cut plug including a fruit conveyor movable overa path including a fruit loading station and said stuihng station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, means for moving each pin to project from said receptacle during traverse of said conveyor toward, through and past said loading station and for retracting each pin as its cooperatively associated receptacle approaches said stuing station and for projecting each pin as the conveyor moves away from the loading station to eject a stuffed fruit, and means for inserting the cut plug into the cavity in a positioned fruit.

7. A machine for stuing olives and the like comprising a pair of fiat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over a path between a feeding station whereatthe carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side relation in a common plane and a stunng station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one another and spaced apart only the width of a folded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the belts toward the stuffing station, means for simultaneously cutting a length from the folded strip at the stumng station and forming it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a position at said stuffing station to receive said cut plug including a fruit conveyor movable overa path' including a fruit loading station and said stuiiing station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, and means for inserting the cut plug into the cavity in the positioned fruit.

8. A machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising a pair of flat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, means for moving the belts over a path between a feeding station Where-at the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side relation in a common plane and a stufng station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one another and spaced apart only the Width of a folded strip of stufng material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the belts toward the stuffing station, means for simultaneously cutting a length from the folded strip and forming it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a position to receive said plug including' a fruit conveyor movable over a path including a fruit loading station and said stuffing station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, means for moving each pin to project from said receptacle during traverse of said conveyor toward, through and past said loading station and for retracting each pin as its cooperatively associated receptacle approaches said stuffing station and for projecting each pin as the conveyor moves away from the loading station to eject a stuffed fruit, and means for inserting the cut plug into the cavity in the positioned fruit.

9. In a machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising a pair ofat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over a path between a stuffing material feeding station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side relation in a common plane and a stuing station, whereat the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one another and spaced apart only the width of a folded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the belts step-wise from the folding station to the stung station to projecta predetermined length of stufling material in advance of the belts and to the stufng station at each step-wise advance, a plurality of jawcutters at said stuiiing station for simultaneously cutting off the projected predetermined length *9 of material fed to said ystation at each stepwise advance and forming the same into a plug, and meansfor operating said jaw-cutters to cut off the material and form the vplug following each step-wise advance of the belts.

10. In a machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising a pair of at belts each having a carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over a path between a feeding station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are Ysubstantially horizontal and in a side by side plurality of jaw-cutters at said stufng station for simultaneously cutting off the predetermined length of U -shaped material fed to such station after each step-wise advance and forniing the same into a plug, and means for operating said jaw-cutters to cut off the material and form the plug following each step-wise advance of the belts.

1l. A machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising a pair-of .flat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over a path between a feeding station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side vrelation in a commonplane, and a stufng station whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one Vanother and spaced apart only the width of a folded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the belts toward the stuing station, means for simultaneously cutting a length from the folded strip at the stufiing station and forming it into a plug, including a pairof hinged jaws movabletoward one another first to cut a plug from said strip and then form the same into a plug of a desired cross-section, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a position to receive said plug, and means for forcing the cut plug from between the jaws into the positioned fruit including a plunger for forcing a plug from between said jaws and into the cavity in the fruit.

l2. A machine for stuffing olives and the like comprising a pair of flat belts each having a carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over a path between a feeding station, Whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and in a side by side relation in a common plane, and a stuffing station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one another and spaced apart only the width of a folded strip of stuffing material which is carried by the belts, means for advancing the belts toward the stuffing station to project a length of the material in advance of said belts, a pair of jaws movable simultaneously to cut said length of material and form it into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity in a position to receive said plug including a fruit conveyor movable over a path including a fruit loading station and said stuffing station, said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin movable into and out of each cooperatively positioned receptacle, means for moving each pin to project from said revceptacle during traverse of said conveyor toward,

carrying surface thereon, the belts being movable over apath between a feeding station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially horizontal and ina side by side relation in a common plane, and va stufling station, whereat the carrying surfaces on the belts are substantially vertical and parallel to one another and spaced apart only the width of a folded strip of stulng material which is carried by'thebelts, means for advancing the belts toward the stuiiing station1 a pair of jaws positioned on each side of and in advance of the belts to receive a strip of material 'advanced by the belts, said jaws each having a cavity therein, means vfor moving `the jaws .first to sever material from the strip and then to compress the severed material into a plug kin the jaw cavities wherein the so-formed plug ofv the severed strip of material is retained, and a plunger movable between said jaws to eject said plug from between the jaws.

14. A machine for stuiiing `olives and the like comprising means for feeding continuously. a strip of a stuffing material toward a stuffing station, means for cutting a length from the strip at said stuffing station, means operable simultaneously with said cutting means to formthe cut length into a plug, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein in position at said stuffing station to receive said cut plugincludinga fruit conveyor movable over a path including a fruit loading station and said stuffing station,-said conveyor including a plurality of fruit receptacles and a pin'movable into and out'cf each cooperatively positioned receptacle,l and means forinserting the preformed out plug into a positioned fruit.

l5. A machine for studing olives and the like comprising means for feeding a series of sheets 0f pimento in an end-to-end coplanar relationship to provide a functionally continuous strip of a stuffing material moving toward a stuffing station, said feeding means having means for folding the strip upon itself and into a U-shape, said folding being on a line at the center of the strip and parallel to the direction of movement and during the movement of the strip, said feeding means advancing a portion of the folded strip beyond the feeding means while the remainder of the strip is held in folded position by the feeding means, means for severing that portion of the folded U -shaped strip at the stufng station which projects beyond the :feeding means while the remainder of the strip is retained by the feeding means, means for forming said folded portion into a plug of generally circular transverse section simultaneously with the severing of said portion, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein in position to receive said plug at said stuiiing station, and means for inserting the plug into the cavity in the positioned fruit at said stufling station.

16. A machine for stufiing olives and the like comprising means for feeding a series of sheets of pimento in an end-to-end coplanar relationship to provide a functionally continuous strip of a stuffing material moving toward a stuffing station, said feeding means having means connected therewith for folding the strip upon itself and into a U-shape, said folding being on a line at the center of the strip and parallel to the direction of movement and during the movement of the strip, said feeding means advancing a portion of the folded strip beyond the feeding means While the remainder of the strip is held in folded position by the feeding means, means for severing that portion of the folded U-shaped strip at the stuffing station which projects beyond the feeding means while the remainder of the strip is retained by the feeding means, means for forming said folded portion into a plug of generally circular transverse section simultaneously with the severing of said portion, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein in position to receve said plug at said stuffing station, and means for inserting the plug into the cavity in the positioned fruit at said stuffing station.

i folding being on a line at the center of the strip and parallel to the direction of movement and during the movement of the strip, said feeding means advancing a portion of the folded strip beyond the feeding means while the remainder of the strip is held in folded position by the feeding means, means for severing that portion of the folded U-shaped strip at the stuffing station which projects beyond the feeding means While the remainder of the strip is retained by the feeding means, .means for forming said folded portion into a plug of generally circular transverse section simultaneously With the severing of said portion, means for positioning a fruit Ahaving a' cavity therein in position to receive said plug at said stufng station, and means for inserting the plug into the cavity in thepositioned fruit at said stuffing station.

12 18. A machinefor stuing olives and the like comprising means for feeding a series of sheets of pimento in an end-to-end coplanar relationship to provide a functionally continuous strip of a stuiing material moving toward a stuiiing station, said feeding means having connected vtherewith means for folding the strip uponv itself and into a U-shape, said folding bein'g on a line at the center of the strip and parallel to the direction of movement and during the movement of the strip, said feeding means advancing a portion of the folded strip beyond the feeding means While the remainder of the strip is held in folded position by the feeding means, means at said stufling station for simultaneously cutting on a length of said projected U-shaped strip and forming the out length into a plug, said means including a pair of jaws movable toward one another to cut a length of said strip and form the same into a plug of a generally circular cross section, means for positioning a fruit having a cavity therein into a position at said stuiiing station to receive said cut plug, and means for moving the cut plug from between the jaws and into the cavity in said positioned fruit at said stuffing station.

GEORGE W. ASHLOCK, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

